Castleford’s Webster avoids ban

Castleford Tigers’ Jake Webster has avoided a ban after being charged with a Grade A punching offence during the game with Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last Saturday.

Webster, who was sin-binned by referee James Child in the 35th minute incident when several players of both sides got involved in a fracas, would have faced a possible one-match suspension, but submitted an Early Guilty Plea.

Two Catalans players were punished following the same incident in the game with Eloi Pelissier banned for two matches and fined £300 after admitting a Grade B charge of reckless striking with the shoulder on Scott Wheeldon and Olivier Elima suspended for one match and fined £300 after pleading guilty to Grade B striking on Scott Moore and Jake Webster in the 35th minute.

Salford Red Devils player Gareth Hock, meanwhile, has been suspended for six matches by an independent disciplinary tribunal after being found guilty of two offences of illegal use of the knees in a First Utility Super League Round 2 fixture against St Helens.

Hock was banned for three matches for Grade C reckless striking with the knees on Tommy Makinson in the 53rd minute and a further three matches for Grade B reckless striking with the knees on Mose Masoe in the 61st minute.

Hock, who pleaded guilty by letter to both charges, was also fined a total of £600.

Sam Powell, of Wigan Warriors, received a one-match ban for Grade B dangerous contact against Huddersfield Giants, having submitted an Early Guilty Plea.